Academic Success and Professional Development Plan
Over the decade, the most challenging issue in advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) is the incorporation of the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation. The Consensus Model lays out strategies for the healthcare regulation of clinical nurse specialists (CNS), certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwife, and certified registered nurse anesthetist. The Consensus model requires that every certification examination has to cover the primary responsibilities of the APRN specialty and focus on the population. Thus, all APRNs have to pass certification exams before beginning their practice. As much as several APRNs are working in line with the Consensus model requirements, several state agencies across the US are yet to implement the policy. The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists plays the role of exam planning and certification, meaning that they always look at the benefits of the profession to the specific APRN.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) provides developed nursing care to adults, older people, and elderly patients who are suffering from chronic and life-threatening diseases. The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) takes care of vulnerable and complex patients, supports inter-professional relationships through evidence-based care, and encourage a culture of patient safety within a healthcare facility. However, both Clinical Nurse Specialist and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner duties depend on specific knowledge and skills, their practice setting, and the features of the patient groups. Both of these nursing professions require certification from appropriate certifying authority as well as APRN licenses from the local Nursing board. After accreditation, professionals in AG-ACNP and CNS have to keep learning and receive recertification every five years.
The Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS)are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) that have skills and experience in evidence-based nursing practice in different areas of specialization. CNS combines its knowledge of disease diagnosis, assessment, and treatment. Thus, their responsibilities go beyond the essential duties of patient care. The primary objective of the Clinical Nurse Specialist is to offer safe, quality, and cost-effective special attention to improve the healthcare system within the institution. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) illustrates that CNS has a unique role in finding solutions to problems within the institution, thereby influencing service delivery in the organization positively. Clinical Nurse Specialists work in almost all departments within a medical facility. Some of these specialties include pediatrics, reproductive health, geriatrics, psychiatric, rehabilitation, oncology, and critical care.
In the US healthcare system, Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) carry out health assessments, order laboratory tests to help in diagnosis and sometimes prescribe medication as well as non-pharmacological approaches to mitigating the spread of infection. However, the primary function of CNS is to strategize, implement, and evaluate patients and population programs of care within an institution. Also, CNS offers leadership to different professions within the organization in coming up with alternative solutions to patient care challenges. The presence of CNS within an organization promotes patient safety and efficient care. CNS significantly reduces the number of days a patient stays in the hospital as well as the number of visits to the emergency room. Also, CNS offers the best approaches to pain management and reduces complications in in-patients. In general, CNS increases the percentage of patient satisfaction within the facility. In addition to patient care, CNS provide their knowledge and skills in coming up with strategies to improve healthcare approaches within an institution.
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who are looking forward to becoming CNS should focus more on evidence-based practice. Due to the ever-changing requirements in patient care, nurses who are willing to join the CNS field have to be flexible enough to accept any changes that may arise. Nurses should also be ready to pass on knowledge to their colleagues on excellent nursing practices. The primary role of CNS is to work with other professionals within the organization to promote quality healthcare. Thus, nurses have to be excellent at teamwork and practice effective communication. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) has to complete their master’s program in nursing (MSN) or doctoral degree program (DNP), meaning they already pose a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). Thus students have to ensure that their colleges receive credit from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Also, the nurses have to obtain a license from NCLEX-RN.
The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) is a non-profit organization that focuses on growing the knowledge and skills of clinical nurse specialists. NACNS fosters quality of care, evidence-based patient care, and effective reduction of the cost of healthcare delivery. Currently, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) has over 2000 members who represent more than 70,000 clinical nurse professionals in hospitals, healthcare systems, colleges, and universities. Becoming an active member of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) requires a CNS to pay a membership fee of $165. Nursing students pay $133 while retired CNS pays $92. Also, for professionals who have been members for over 20 years, NACNS offers legacy membership for $165. Also, other healthcare professionals who did not train as CNS can pay an associate membership fee of $150.
In conclusion, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) provide primary and specialized care to their patients through assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. Healthcare reforms and changes in nursing environments require nurses to keep on working on their knowledge and skills, which creates the need for specialization. Acquisition of expertise allows nurses to perfect their experience in a specific nursing field, making patient care efficient and cost-effective. The consensus model for APRN regulation regulates the specific nursing fields and gives organizations ways to implement the strategies.